An architect's rendering of what Austin Blair Memorial Park in Jackson would look like following renovations.(Courtesy photo)

JACKSON, MI – A $130,000 project renovating Austin Blair Memorial
Park in Jackson could start soon and be complete
"before the snow flies," according to city officials.

Jackson City Councilman Andrew Frounfelker,
5th Ward, is spearheading the project, which will take the park located at 600
S. Jackson St. and include landscaping, sidewalks, parking, fencing, picnic
tables a playground and more.

"We need to spruce up a lot of areas in the
city, but this is an entranceway into the community," the councilman said. "It's
an area prime for renovation."

Jackson City Manager Patrick
Burtch said $100,000 for the project will be federal Community Development Block
Grant funds. The additional $30,000 will come from city coffers, with the
majority coming from the city's public improvement fund.

"It's important that we light this area up
and create a congregation point," Burtch said. "The park is essentially an acre
of land with a couple trees."

Kelli HooverFile photo

Jackson Parks and Recreation Director Kelli
Hoover said upgrading the park will bring it in line with the park's namesake,
Austin Blair.

Blair was Michigan governor during the
Civil War from 1861-1865. He was a resident of Jackson and died in 1894.

"The current park is underutilized," Hoover
said, adding there are no city-owned parks
with playgrounds in Jackson's 5th Ward.

James said she had concerns about traffic
surrounding the park, but city officials said traffic counts around Austin
Blair Park are in line with other parks within the city.

"Austin Blair Park has about 6,300 vehicles
pass it per day," Frounfelker said. "Other parks within the city have about the
same amount while some have more than 10,000 vehicles per day, like Ganson
Street Park."

Mason Street resident Stacy Harrison said
she liked the idea and the plan. She added she hoped that a basketball court or
other projects such as the one discussed could be included within her ward.

"I love the idea," she said. "I just want
you guys to do more."

Contact Will Forgrave at wforgrav@mlive.com or
517-262-7554. Follow him on Twitter at @WillForgrave.